made most, ridden flat, headed 1f out, kept on until no extra towards finish
mid-division, reminders after 6th, weakened 2 out
mid-division, reminders 6th, ridden to chase leaders approaching last, kept on same pace, no impression flat
held up mid-division, headway 9th, went 2nd before last, ridden flat, led 1f out, stayed on towards finish
disputed lead, lost place 8th, weakened 2 out
held up, fell 6th
tracked leaders, lost place 8th, soon behind
in touch, chased leader 8th to before last, soon weakened
held up, effort 9th, ridden and weakened approaching last, tailed off
held up, struggling 10th, soon tailed off (final flight was omitted)
Nonrunner
An interesting stayers' handicap hurdle where PETER'S STAR is given the nomination ahead of Amalfi Coast, while Zaffarella and Doris's Gift are among others with claims. The selection has two wins to his name on this going description, including when an eased-down scorer over this trip at Uttoxeter last time. A 6lb rise for that looks fair and we will stick with him. That is partly because the real eyecatcher here, Amalfi Coast, has gone up a very harsh-looking 18lbs for winning a moderate contest at Sedgefield by a wide margin. In spite of the good form of Ron Barr's string it will take some performance to defy that rise. Zaffarella has every chance of staying this far nowadays, but has a clear preference for soft ground and can't be recommended unless the rains come before they get under way. Caroline Bailey's Oscar Owen is 5lbs higher than when taking a good ground Newbury novices' handicap hurdle last winter. He stays this far but his profile suggests he will need this run. Doris's Gift has trip and ground in his favour and is now just 2lbs above his latest win, so looks more interesting, but we will stick with Peter's Star, who can shine.
Amalfi Coast 7-2fav (9-12) Made all, clear 3 out, easily, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sep beating Goldan Jess (11-1) by 13l, 8 ran.
Romantic Bridge (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Held up, headway and in touch 6th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 10, well behind Dunaskin (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) sft in Aug.
Peters Star (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Chased leader, not fluent 5th, not fluent last, soon challenging, led over 1f out, eased near finish, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Sep beating Iris's Flyer (10-1) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Zaffarella (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, hung right 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 14, 11l behind Phoenix Des Mottes (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Doris's Gift 4-1fav (9-9) Held up, mid-division, blundered 8th, reminders after next, weakened 3 out, 5th of 13, 43l behind Ballynure (10-2) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
Michaels Dream (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, struggling 6th, 8th of 10, well behind Benny The Piler (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Sep.
Private Affair 28-1 (11-1) Towards rear when unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Ballynure (10-2) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf, 13 ran.
Oscar Owen (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 5th, hit 8th, not fluent and led 10th, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Thirtythreeblack (10-5) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jul.
Shuil An Burren (IRE) 28-1 (11-6) Led to 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Dovedale (11-1) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Sep.
Lady Anne Nevill 250-1 (10-8) In touch, weakened from 6th, 7th of 9, well behind Dancing Dik (10-9) at Newcastle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Murphys Beau (IRE) 28-1 (10-11) Mid-division, pushed along approaching 9th, soon weakened, pulled up before 11th, in a race won by Ballynure (10-2) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf, 13 ran.
